FINAL BILL REPORT

                            SB 6532

                          C 150 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to release of criminally insane persons.

SPONSORS: Senators Wojahn, Talmadge, Deccio, Moore, Moyer, Spanel, M. Rasmussen and Oke

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

BACKGROUND:

Recently, a criminally insane person was released from a state mental institution without notice to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).  If DSHS had been given notice, it would have objected.

There is a belief that the law should be clarified to ensure that the court is fully informed before entering a release order.

SUMMARY:

A court may not release a criminally insane person from an institution, for either a conditional release or furlough, without a hearing, unless the Secretary of DSHS agrees to the release.  If the Secretary of DSHS does not agree with the release, the court must hold a hearing regarding the conditional release or furlough.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    46   0

House     94   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994